15th Wing Airmen pick up tree branches while participating in the base-wide cleanup at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, March 25.

Story and photo by Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden

15th Wing Public Affairs

Airmen from the 15th Wing and 647th Air Base Group gathered for a little spring cleaning, March 25.

More than 200 Airmen volunteered to take part in the massive Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam cleanup.

“We live and work here every day so my goal was to make our home look better,” said Col. Randy Huiss, 15th Wing commander. Because a cleanup effort of this magnitude has not occurred in the past seven years, Senior Master Sgt. Lucas Buchholz, 647th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said the day was largely intended to clean those areas of the base that are not covered by the installation cleaning contract.

“It’s about developing pride and ownership,” he said. Chief Master Sgt. Brent Sheehan, 647th Air Base Group superintendent, said he was impressed by the hundreds of Airmen who volunteered for the event.

“It was inspiring to see Team Hickam Airmen come out and take pride in their installation,” he said. “I saw hundreds of Airmen out cleaning and taking care of their home.” Huiss agreed, thanking the volunteers for their participation.

“I understand that things like this take us away from our real jobs and the mission but it was necessary, and the attitudes I saw today were fantastic. It was nice to see,” he said.

Huiss also thanked the chief’s group and Hickam Officers’ Spouses Club for their participation.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam seeks volunteers for beach cleanup

The Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam community and other military volunteers can participate in the Fort Kamehameha Beach and Ahua Reef Reserve cleanup on Saturday, April 16 from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

Volunteers, including family members ages 12 and above, can help clean up the area where mangrove has recently been cleared.

Volunteers should meet at the Fort Kamehameha parking lot by 7:30 a.m. Dress to get dirty, wear covered shoes and bring sunscreen.